Bangladesh Youth Union condemns 'attack and mass arrest' at JSD office

Bangladesh Youth Union has strongly condemned an "attack" at the central office of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD during a representatives' meeting and the subsequent arrest of 289 leaders, activists and supporters in a police operation.

The condemnation was made in a joint statement by the organisation's central president, Khan Asaduzzaman Masum, and general secretary, Jahangir Alam Nannu, on Sunday, September 27.

In the statement, they said JSD is not a banned political party and there is no state restriction on the party's political and organisational activities. According to JSD's claim, leaders and activists from various parts of the country participated in the pre-scheduled central representatives' meeting, and the meeting was organised after informing the relevant government institutions.

Leaders of Bangladesh Youth Union said that given the reality of Awami League's activities being banned, it is the state's responsibility to investigate any allegations and take legal action. However, attacking the leaders and activists of a political party during a meeting at the office of a lawful political party, besieging the office and later arresting hundreds of people together in a police operation is not consistent with democratic political practice.

The statement further said that attacking a lawful political party in the name of anti-Awami League sentiment, creating a mob at a political office or indiscriminate mass arrests cannot be acceptable in any way. If such an incident occurs at the office of one political party, it will create scope for the same example to be used against other political parties in the future, which could shrink the path of democratic movements and political activities.

The leaders said democracy does not mean elections alone; the freedom of political parties' organisational activities, the right to hold meetings and gatherings, the freedom to express dissent and equal application of the law for all are also part of a democratic system.

Bangladesh Youth Union demanded a neutral investigation into the "attack" at the JSD office, identification of the attackers and legal action against them, and the immediate release of all arrested leaders and activists. At the same time, the organisation called for an end to such illegal interference at political offices.

Leaders of Bangladesh Youth Union called on the government to ensure the rule of law, freedom of expression and democratic rights instead of suppressing political opponents.